Faizel Patel – 08/02/2021
Seven of the country’s major garlic and ginger suppliers are being investigated by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) on allegations of price gouging.
The NCC has opened investigations into the following companies including Food Lovers Market, the Spar Group, Pick n Pay, the Shoprite Group, Boxer Superstores, Cambridge Foods and Woolworths.
Price gouging involves the practice by a retailer where specific goods are priced exorbitantly to take advantage during an exceptional situation like a disaster or pandemic.
Speaking to Radio Islam on Monday, the NCC’s Prosecutions Director Joseph Selolo says they received a number of complaints about the price gouging of garlic and ginger, which is believed to assist in the treatment of some symptoms of COVID-19.
“We received quite a number of complaints and your social media is awash with such complaints, so we received quite a lot against the retailers on the pricing of garlic and ginger.”
Selolo says the scope of the investigation is much broader than the allegations levelled against the implicated retailers.
“We also need to look at anyone who could be involved in the value chain because you might find that it’s actually not the retailer. The retailer just added his usual mark-up, but someone else may have increased the price exorbitantly.”
Selolo says those found guilty of price gouging face huge fines and possibly even prison time.
Listen to the interview with Joseph Selolo
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